day : 18/10/2021 10 results

Video/photos and recap by Patrick Sand and Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

Two of the Seattle City Council‘s nine positions are on your ballot for the general-election voting that’s under way right now.

The four people seeking them were in West Seattle tonight for an in-person forum at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center, presented by the Westside Interfaith Network, High Point Mosque, and League of Women Voters Seattle-King County.

Though the forum stuck to basic topics like homelessness and public safety, the dialogue – moderated by West Seattle journalist Brian Callanan – was lively, with each candidate offered the chance for up to four rebuttals, and most of those 16 opportunities getting used.

OLG pastor Father Kevin Duggan and the League of Women Voters’ Lucy Gaskill-Gaddis welcomed the candidates – for Position 8, incumbent Teresa Mosqueda and civil engineer Ken Wilson; for Position 9, community organizer/lawyer/artist Nikkita Oliver and brewery co-owner Sara Nelson. Wilson is the only first-time candidate in the group; Oliver ran for mayor in 2017, the same year Nelson made her first try for council.

All four candidates were asked to answer each question. What you read below in our recap is how we summarized the questions and responses, not direct quotes except for what’s within quotation marks. When you see more than one response from a candidate following a certain question, that’s a rebuttal.

First, opening statements:

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SURVEY: Seattle Public Library has more questions for you

October 18, 2021 9:40 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

Last month, the Seattle Public Library asked for your thoughts on its search for a new Chief Librarian. Tonight, a new survey – this time, about the basics. What hours should your local libraries be open? What services should they offer? How did the pandemic change the way you used libraries? The focus is on priorities for the levy that Seattle voters passed two years ago, now that all libraries have reopened and the mayor’s budget proposes restoring full general-fund support for SPL. The survey is here, available in eight languages – Amharic, Chinese, English, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese. You also can answer it at any library location, either on paper or via a library computer. If you don’t have time now, it’s open until November 8th.

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FOLLOWUP: First day of fewer bus routes for Seattle Public Schools

October 18, 2021 7:45 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As we’ve been reporting, a fourth of Seattle Public Schools‘ bus routes are suspended starting today because of ongoing and anticipated driver shortages. One foreseeable effect: More students on Metro buses. Jessica emailed us to say, “I was on the 128 bus this morning and it was filled to the brim with Madison students. All of the seats were full, and the students that were standing were packed like sardines. There was definitely no room to socially distance.”

We asked Metro what provisions they are making for this. Spokesperson Al Sanders‘ reply: “With last week’s notice from SPS we knew we might see an increase in the number of student riders starting today. We are monitoring the situation to see what adjustments could be needed for the riders.” Meantime, he noted that Metro has a post up for advice that might help new riders.

P.S. Families hopefully know this already, but for the record, the district’s webpage now lists the school-specific routes that are not running.

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DEVELOPMENT: Four West Seattle projects to get Southwest Design Review Board hearings in next month

October 18, 2021 5:39 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

The city sent official notices today for the next Southwest Design Review Board hearings about two projects we’ve been tracking, both on November 4th, and the SWDRB schedule shows two more projects are on the schedule for a meeting two weeks after that. All are projects we’ve reported on previously. Here’s the meeting schedule:

4406 36TH SW: Second and possibly final meeting (here’s our coverage of the first) for this project in The Triangle, described as “a 7-story, 275-unit apartment building with retail (and p)arking for 163 vehicles.” It’ll go to the board at 5 pm Thursday, November 4th. Info for attending/commenting at the online meeting, by video or by phone, is here.

3010 SW AVALON WAY: First SWDRB meeting for this “8-story, 87-unit apartment building (with) parking for 4 vehicles,” 7 pm Thursday, November 4th. We’ve been reporting on this project for two years. Viewing/commenting/call-in info for this meeting is here.

4440 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW: Second and possibly final meeting for this project (companion to 4406 36th SW, both on property owned by Alki Lumber‘s Sweeney family), described on the city website as a “7-story, 217-unit apartment building with retail (and p)arking for 153 vehicles.” 5 pm November 18th; here’s our coverage of the first meeting. Info on video/call-in/commenting for this meeting should appear here soon.

4448 CALIFORNIA SW: This will be the second “early design guidance” meeting (here’s our coverage of the first) for this project, “a 7-story, 96-unit apartment building with retail (and n)o parking.” It’ll be at 7 pm November 18th; viewing/call-in/commenting info will be at this link soon.

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FOLLOWUP: What ever happened to 35th/Graham signal?

October 18, 2021 3:09 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

That’s 35th/Graham, which was supposed to have a signal by now, but doesn’t. It’s been almost half a year since SDOT announced the start of improvements at the intersection for walking/biking – after deaths in both categories in the 2000s and 2010s. Most of the work is done, but not the signal. Andrew emailed the city and us, wondering what happened. We noted that the project website had been updated two weeks ago to say, “The final work at this intersection includes getting electrical power to the traffic signal and installing the detection in the street for recognizing when a person biking is waiting at the traffic light. Due to construction crew capacity, as well as COVID-19-related supply delays, we expect to complete this work in mid-October.” So, now it’s mid-October, and we asked SDOT today for a status report. The reply: “Last week, we received electrical power at the new signal location. We expect to install the new signal arms and turn on the signal in the next couple of weeks.” The signal was originally proposed as part of the 35th SW Safety Project but then was moved into the West Seattle Neighborhood Greenway extension.

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FOLLOWUP: Deadline arrives with all but a few Seattle Fire, Police either vaccinated or exempt

October 18, 2021 1:21 pm

| 85 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Today’s the day city employees had to either be vaccinated or be exempt. Advance concern focused on the police and fire departments, which already had staffing struggles. Here are the newest numbers released by Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s office:

Citywide

99% of our 11,000 employees have complied

94% vaccinated
5% exemptions
1% not submitted – approximately 150 individuals

Seattle Fire

93% vaccinated
6% exemptions
1% not submitted
Only 16 individuals have not submitted

Seattle PD

91% vaccinated
7% exemptions
2% not submitted
Only 24 individuals have not submitted

Both SPD and SFD had contingency plans if needed; City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, explained them at the council’s briefing meeting this morning – watch starting at 41:15:

In short, SPD, if necessary, would move to “Stage 3 operations,” in which all sworn personnel would be ready to staff precincts if needed; SFD’s contingency plan also would include moving personnel from desk to operations jobs, along with steps such as reducing the number of units initially dispatched to certain types of calls.

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CORONAVIRUS: Seattle Public Schools’ weekly update shows 58 new cases, fewer than a week earlier

October 18, 2021 11:21 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The weekly update of the Seattle Public Schools COVID-19 data dashboard is in: 472 total cases reported districtwide since the school year began. This week’s increase – 58 – is down from last Monday’s update, when 71 new cases had been reported. Here are the school-by-school breakouts for our area, with the changes compared to what was on the dashboard last week – again, the numbers are cumulative for the entire school year so far:

Chief Sealth International High School – 18, up 2
Denny International Middle School – 15, unchanged
Roxhill Elementary – 10, up 1
Highland Park Elementary – 9, unchanged
Madison Middle School – 8, unchanged
Lafayette Elementary – 7, up 1
Arbor Heights Elementary – 6, up 2
Genesee Hill Elementary – 6, unchanged
Concord International (Elementary) – 5, up 2
West Seattle Elementary – 5, up 1
Gatewood Elementary – 4, unchanged
Sanislo Elementary – 3, unchanged
West Seattle High School – 3, unchanged
Pathfinder K-8 – 3, unchanged
Louisa Boren STEM K-8 – 2, up 1
Fairmount Park Elementary – 2, unchanged
Alki Elementary – 1, newly reported this week
BRIDGES @ Roxhill – 1, newly reported this week

The dashboard does not break down student cases/staff cases school by school, but for the Southwest Region – including West Seattle and South Park – 91% of the cases are among students.

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In-person City Council forum and more for your West Seattle Monday

October 18, 2021 10:08 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunday sunrise, photographed by Stewart L.)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight:

DOG SWIM: First of six days when Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club (11003 31st SW) opens its pool to dogs before closing and cleaning it for the offseason. 4:30-6 pm. Details in our preview.

IN-PERSON CITY COUNCIL FORUM: The four candidates for the only two City Council positions on the general-election ballot – citywide Positions 8 and 9 – will be in West Seattle for an in-person forum tonight, 7 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (35th/Nyrtle). It’s open to the public, and will also be livestreamed. Our preview has details.

OPEN D&D: Drop-in play at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.

(added) TRIVIA AT BEST OF HANDS: Weekly trivia at Best of Hands Barrelhouse (35th/Webster):

•Hosted by Melanie & Trivia o Muerte
•7-9 pm
•Teams up to 6 people welcome.
•$2/person entry – winner take all.
•Proof of vax or negative test required to be inside/play
•21+

TRIVIA AT THE GOOD SOCIETY: Weekly trivia at The Good Society Public House (California/Lander) at 7 pm with Jesse from Trivia o Muerte – more info in our calendar listing.

TRIVIA AT THE SKYLARK: 7:30 pm with Quizfix, weekly trivia at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

Are we missing something happening today/tonight? Text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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Memorial service October 25 for Danny Thomas, 1956-2021

October 18, 2021 9:09 am

| Comments Off on Memorial service October 25 for Danny Thomas, 1956-2021

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather next Monday to remember Danny Thomas, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

In Memory of Danny Thomas

Daniel “Danny” Wayne Thomas, born November 20, 1956 in Seattle, departed this world on September 19, 2021 in Seattle at the age of 64.

He is survived by his brother Gene Thomas; aunts May Mcbane and Beverly Prickett; cousin Mary Gaskill-Clyne; and his many first and second cousins and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents Ellis and Irene Thomas.

Danny will be remembered fondly for his kindness, love, and loyalty, and he will be sincerely missed by all who know and love him.

A memorial service for Danny is scheduled for 10:15 AM on October 25, 2021 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery at 6701 30th Ave SW in West Seattle.

He will be interred beside his mother and father at Riverton Crest Cemetery at 3400 South 140th Street in Tukwila at twelve o’clock noon, October 25, 2021. The funeral service will be officiated by Pastor Father Woodland of St. Philomena.

*Wearing a mask is required during the memorial and funeral services.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Monday info

October 18, 2021 6:03 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Monday info

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning!

WEATHER

Cloudy and cool today.

SCHOOL-ZONE NOTE

The cutback in Seattle Public Schools bus service starting today will likely change traffic patterns in school zones, so be aware.

ROAD WORK

26th SW – Ongoing closure between Roxbury and Barton for street upgrades to prepare for RapidRide H Line.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Regular Metro schedule, except for the rerouting in RapidRide H Line work zones – on 26th and 15th SW in particular. Lots of canceled trips lately, so watch @kcmetrobus for word of those.

For ferries and Water Taxi: Both have changed schedules starting Saturday – here’s the Water Taxi info; here’s the ferry info.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

573rd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:

Are movable bridges opening for boats or barges? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed is working again. (1st Ave. South Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.)

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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